Well pump



Dec. 4, 1934. w. H, MAXWELL WELL PUMP Filed oct. 29, 1932 Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT AOFFICE',

o `WELL PUMP o Y William H. Maxvveu, Beverly HiusQoalir. `Application October 29, i932, SerialV No."6407,318"

Y 6 claims. (ci. 10s- 202) n y This invention relates to a well pump and relates more particularly to a connection` for the pump parts that are normally free to move relative to each other.

The reciprocating type of pump employed for pumping oil wells embodies two relatively mov- `able or reciprocable parts, a barrel, and a plunger in the barrel. In certain forms of well pumps, the barrel is stationary andthe plunger is reciprocated, While in the other forms, the plunger is stationary and the barrel is reciprocated. The movable or reciproc'able part of the well pump is attached to the lower end of a pump string or sucker rod consisting of a plurality of sections connected by screw threads. The threaded connections between the sections of a sucker rod string sometimes work loose, and it is desirable to provide a means for temporarily connecting the relatively movable barrel and plunger of the wellpump against relative rotation so `that the threaded connections of the sucker rod string may be tightened and/or tested to make sure that they are tight.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a simple, practical and dependable means for releasably connecting two normally relatively rotatable and reciprocable parts of a well pump against relative rotation.

Itis another object of the invention to provide a simple inexpensive connecting means for releasably connecting the reciprocable element of a well pump with a stationary element of the pump whereby the threaded connections in the pumping string or sucker rod string may be tightened or tested.

It is anotherA object of the invention to provide aY connecting means of the character described that is extremely easy to operate or manipulate. In accordance with the present invention, the connecting means automatically operates to hold the reciprocable part against rotation relative to 1 the stationary element of the pump, regardless of the rotative position of the reciprocable part, upon the reciprocable part and the sucker rod string being permitted to settle or move downwardly at the end of its downward stroke. The connection is automatically released upon the reciprocable part of the pump `-being moved upwardly.

It is another object of the invention to provide a connection or connecting means of the character mentioned that is not injured or impaired by the normal operation of the pump even in the event that the downward stroke of the reciprocating element of the pumpis excessive and isstopped orlimited by the parts of the connection.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide Va connection of the character mentioned that Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the lower end of the pump. Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the ring or sleeveembodied in thepresent invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the pump illustrating the connecting `means provided by l.the present invention in its operative position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing `the `connecting means released `or disengaged.` A

The present invention may be 'applied to or embodied in pump structures of various types, and may be embodied in forms for use in different classes of pumps.- Further, the connecting means provided by the invention is adapted to hold different parts of a pump vagainst relative rotation, for example, it maybe applied to releasably hold the plunger of the reciprocable plunger type of pump against turning, or may be employed to hold the barrel of a reciprocable barrel type of pump against turning. The invention is intended primarily to releasably hold against rotation the part or element of a well pump that is reciprocated by the sucker rod whether it be the pump barrel, the plunger, or other structure. In the following detailed description, I will describe the invention embodied in a more or less typical well pump of the reciprocable barrel type where it is operable to releasably hold the barrel against rotation relative tothe stationary plunger, that is, it is operable to releasably hold the barrel and plunger against relative turning, it being understood that the invention is not to be taken as limited or restricted to the speciiic form or application of the invention about to be described, but that it is to be taken as including anyl features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The pump structure illustrated in the drawing includes two relatively movable or reciprocable vce parts, namely, a barrel 10, and a plunger 11. In the particular type of pump illustrated in the drawing, the plunger 11 is the stationary element, while the barrel 10 is the movable or reciprocable part of the pump. The pump is shown arranged in a pump tubing or well tubing T extending through a well casing C. The plunger 11 is mounted in or connected with the lower end of the tubing T through amounting means 12. The barrel 10 is attached tothe lower end of a sucker rod 13. The barrel 1.9A .receives or passes over the stationary plunger 11 and passes fluid upwardly during the pumping operation. In the particular pump structurenijllurs-V trated in the drawing, the upper end of the barrel 11 is connected with the'lo'wer end "of "the sucker rod 13 through the crown -or cage 14 vof a typical working valve 15. The present 'inven tion is not primarily concerned with theparts.

and mechanisms contained within the tubular barrel 10, and these elements of the pump have not been illustrated in the drawing. 'The stationary plunger '11 -is a tubular member adapted to pass the ,pump iiuid upwardly into the barrel 10. A bearing part orguide 16 is provided on the lower end of the barrel 10 to center .and guide the plunger 11'. The opening 17 in the guide 16 spaces the plunger from the inner walls of thebarrel. The-guide 16 may be attached to the lower end of the barrel 10 in any suitable manner. Inrthe particular case illustrated, va pin 18 on the upper end of the guide 16 is threaded into the end of the .barrel 10.

The upper end ,ofv the pin l8fforms`an upwardly facing shoulder in the barrel 10 and is provided with one or more notches 80. The notches are adapted 'to receive lugs 81 on an abutment member 32 on the plunger 11 to facilitate the disconnection of the barrel and plunger `when the barrel is in the fully up position. The upper end of the pin 18 .is adapted to engage the member 82 to limitupward movement of the barrel. The member 82 is spaced a considerable distance above the lower end of the plunger.

The means 12 for mounting the stationary pump element or plunger llincludes a .seat or shoe 19 attached to or mounted in the tubingT. In the particular arrangement illustratedY in the drawing, the shoeA 19 is threadedinto the lower end of the pump tubing T. Theshoe 19 is tubular, having a central longitudinal opening '20 for passing iiuid upwardly into the pump. vA collar 21 is provided on Athe projecting lower end of the plunger 11. The collar ,21 carries at its lower end a supporting memberv 22 having a tapered portion 23 adapted toseat in a correspondingly shaped socket 24 in the upper end of the shoe 19. Packing 25 is. carried in a recess in the tapered portion 23 to make a iluid tight seal between the member 22 and the shoe 19. A mandrel 26 projects downwardly from the lower end of the mountingl member ,22. They mandrel 26 is split longitudinally from its lowergend and is provided adjacent its lowerendwithan enlargement presenting an upwardly facing shoulder 27. The shoulder 2'7 is adapted to cooperate with a downwardly facing shoulderrZB in the shoe opening 20. It will be apparent how the mandrel 26 may be passed downwardly'into the shoe 19 so that its shoulder 27 latches into engagement with the shoulder 28 to eiectively connect the pump plunger 11v with the rshoe 19. From the above description of the typical pump structure illustrated in thedrawing, it will be apparent how the plunger 11 may be stationrel 1Q against rotation relative to the stationary it) is the movable or reciprocable part of the pump,

the means A is operable to releasably hold the bari* plunger l11. y

, rThe means Ainclude a sleeve or ring 30 surrounding the plunger 11. The ring 30 surrounds f the lowerv end portion of the stationary pump part 11, and may normally rest on the upper end of the Icollar 2 1. The ring 30 may be of the same ex,- ternal diameter'as the collar 21, out it is to be 'understoodtha't the ring is a separable part and is independent ofthe collar. The ring 30 may Iity von or about the plunger 11 so that it is normally 100 free to turn or rotate ony the plunger. It is prefferred to make the ring 30 comparatively short so that it does not occupy much Space on the plunger 11 vorxriaterially lessen the stroke of theI l. reciprocable barrel 10. It will be apparent how the lower end of the ring 30 engages the upper end of the collar 21, and the upper end of the ring is adapted to be engagedby the lower end of the guide 16 when the barrel 10 is at the lower end'v of its downward stroke, or is intentionally lowered '110 past the end of its downward stroke.

In accordance with the invention, the opposite ends of the 'sleeve or ring 30 are roughened, serrated or otherwise shaped so as to non-rotatably cooperate with the upper end of the collar 21 and 115 the lower end of the guide 16 when it is in pres,- sural cooperation with these parts. vIt is preferred to shape or form the ends of the ring'30 `so that they have biting or clutching engagement with the collar 21 and guide l6when the ring is under compression or is tightly held between the guide and the collar. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, a plurality of biting parts kor teeth 31 are provided on the opposite ends of the ring 30. The teeth 31 may oc- 125 cupy the entire upper and lower ends ofthe ring 30 and their active edges 32 may be substantially radial, and may lextend between the inner and outer surfaces of the ring. 'I'he biting teeth 30.

may be shaped as desired or found practical, it"l30 being preferred to make the edges 32 comparatively sharp.

The biting teeth 31 shown in the drawing are pitched or inclined, that is, they each have a substantially vertical face and an inclined face. When the biting teeth 31 are pitched as illustrated in the drawing, it is desirable to vhave the teeth on the opposite ends of the ringv 30 pitched in opposite directions and to relate their direction of inclination to the. pitch of the threads in the sucker lli() rod string 13, so that the teeth are particularly effective in biting into the collar 214and guide 16 when the sucker rod string is turned in a direction to tighten the threaded connections between its sections. The teeth 31 on the opposite ends of 1&5 the ring 30 shown in the drawing are pitched or inclined so thatthey are particularly effective in biting into the collar 21 and the guide 16, to provide a nonfrotatable connection between the pump barrel 10 and pump plunger'll when the 150 plunger is in its extreme down position and the sucker rod 13 is turned in a right hand or clockwise direction. It will be apparent, however, that the ring-30 with its clutching teeth 31 is also effective in preventing rotation of the barrel 10 in the opposite direction, that is, in a left hand or counter clock-Wise direction. In accordance with the invention, the clutch ring or holding ring 30 is tempered or case hardened so that its teeth 31 will not be dulled or broken.- With the use of the ring 30 it is no-t necessary to harden or specially treat the pump parts with which the ring coopcrates, in fact, the pump parts are preferably of the form and material ordinarily employed in pump construction.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the releasable connecting means A will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed ,description The ring 30 does not in any way interfere with the normal operation of the barrel 10 or other parts of the pump, and does not in any Way complicate the pump construction. The ring 30 may be easily arranged o-n the plunger 11, and occupies a minimum amount of space. ,It is to be particularly noted that the releasable connecting means A does not necessitate the provision of special parts or faces on the collar 21, the guide 16, or any other elements of the pump. When it is desired to hold the pump barrel 10 against rotation so that the threaded connections 40 in the sucker rod string 13 may be tested or tightened, the barrel and string are permitted to lower or settle so that the lower end of the guide 16 comes into engagement with the teeth 31 on the upper end of the ring 30. If desired, la suitable proportion of the weight of the sucker rod string 13 and pump barrel 10 may be supported on the collar 21 through the holding ring 30. The sucker rod 13 may then be turned in the proper direction to tighten the threads of the threaded connectio-ns 40 in the sucker rod string. .The biting or clutching teeth 31 on the opposite `ends of the ring 30 cooperate with or bite into the guide 16 and collar 21 to effectively hold the pump barrel 10 against rotation relative to the stationary plunger 11. In this manner the means A is operable to hold the relatively movable parts 10 and 11 of the pump against relative rotation.

It is to be noted that the holding means operates dependably and effectively regardless of the relative rotative positions of the pump barrel 10 and pump plunger 11. The plurality of clutch teeth 31 on the opposite ends of the holding ring 30 provide for an effective distribution of any weight that may be supported through the ring 30, and a proper distribution of the twisting strains or torque when the sucker rod 13 and barrel are turned to tighten the connections in the sucker rod string. When it is desired to release the connection A, the sucker rod 13 and pump barrel 10 are moved upwardly in the usual manner.

This upward movement of the pump barrel 10 moves the guide 16 out of engagement with the ring 30 so that the non-rotatable connection is released. It is to be noted that the present invention provides` a dependable and effective releasable connection for non-rotatably connecting the two movable elements of a well pump that is particularly inexpensive of construction, and that involves only a single simple part that may be readily applied to or embodied in a well pump without alteration or modification of the pump.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art, or fall Within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a well pump, two normally relatively rotatable and reciprocable pump elements, opposing faces on the elements, and means for releasably holding the elements against relative rotation including a toothed ring between said faces normally free to move relative to the elements and adapted to connect the elements for rotation when clamped between the faces.

2. In a well pump, two relatively reciprocable and normally relatively rotatable elements, one a barrel, the other a plunger extending into the barrel, opposing faces o-n the elements and means for releasably holding the elements against relative rotation including, an independent member between the faces, and teeth on the ends of the member to cooperate with the faces.

3. In a well pump, two relatively reciprocable and normally relatively rotatable elements, one a barrel, the other a plunger extending into the barrel, a guide on one element slidably cooperating with the other element, a projecting part on the other element, and releasable means for preventing relative rotation between the elements including a member arranged on an element between the guide and said part, and teeth on the opposite ends of the member to cooperate with the guide and said part, each tooth having an inclined face and a vertical end joining at a sharp edge.

4. In a well pump, two elements, one a barrel, the other a plunger extending into the barrel, one element being stationary, the other element being normally rotatable and reciprocable, and means for releasably holding the last mentioned element against rotation including a normally free ring `on the plunger between opposing faces on the plunger and barrel having clutch parts to cooperate with said faces.

5. In combination, a sucker rod string comprising sections having threaded connections with one another, a well pump including two elements,

one a barrel, the other a plunger, one element being attached to and operated by the sucker rod string, means stationarily mounting the other element, and releasable means for preventing rotation of the movable element relative to the stationary element whereby the said threaded connections may be tightened, said means including parts on the barrel and plunger having opposing faces, and a normally free ring on the plunger having teeth for cooperating with said faces.

6. In combination, a sucker rod string comprising sections having threaded connections with one another, a well pump including two elements, one a barrel, the other a plunger, one element being attached to and operated by the sucker rod string, means stationarily mounting the other element, and releasable means for preventing rotation of the vmovable element relative to the stationary element whereby the said threaded connections may be tightened, said means including a guide on the barrel slidably passing the plunger, a projecting part on the plunger having an end opposing the guide, and a ring on the plunger between the guide and said part, and teeth on the'opposite ends of the ring. 

